The Ministry of Health (MOH) has downplayed the pay demands from health workers involved in the treatment of individuals infected during the 2022 Sudan Ebola virus disease outbreak. The outbreak, which originated in Mubende District, spread to neighboring districts, causing widespread concern.
The health workers, under their umbrella organization, the Uganda Medical Association, have expressed dissatisfaction, stating that despite Uganda currently battling a new outbreak—one that has so far claimed one life and affected eight others, all of whom have since been discharged—the Ministry has not paid the allowances promised three years ago.
Dr. Herbert Luswata, the President of the Uganda Medical Association, had previously raised concerns, noting that failing to compensate health workers involved in such life-threatening emergencies is demoralizing. He warned that this could result in some workers choosing to stay away if the new outbreak, which is currently under control, worsens.
However, when asked about these concerns, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the ministry’s Senior Public Relations Officer, stated that all health workers contracted for the outbreak had been paid. He said that any doctor who claims to have not received their money should provide evidence that they were officially hired by the ministry.
Despite the ministry’s claims, a doctor who spoke on condition of anonymity insists that seventy-six healthcare workers deployed by the ministry have never been paid, and efforts to seek legal redress have been futile.
The doctor, who was deployed at Mubende Hospital in October 2022, revealed that their lawyers at Makmot Kibwanga and Company Advocates lost interest in the case shortly after officials at the ministry received the notice of intention to sue in April 2023.
He stated that the salary arrears and per diem owed to the workers amount to UGX 1.9 billion. The Solicitor General acknowledged receipt of their complaint and promised to respond after consultations, but two years later, no response has been received.
Among the health workers demanding pay are thirteen medical doctors, five clinical officers, twenty nursing officers, twenty-five assistant nursing officers, six laboratory experts, and a psychiatric nurse. The health workers were given six-month local non-gratuitable contracts, with doctors promised UGX 5 million per month, UGX 2.6 million for clinical officers, and UGX 4.4 million for nursing officers.
Another doctor, who also requested anonymity, said he was only given one month’s pay by the Ministry of Health and received per diem from the World Health Organization for two months. He claims he never received any further payments.
While the MOH has denied the allegations, other humanitarian agencies involved in managing the outbreak, such as the World Health Organization, the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), and Médecins Sans Frontières, reportedly fulfilled all payment obligations to their contracted health workers.
For the ongoing outbreak declared in January 2025, it remains unclear what the payment arrangements are, as health workers have so far worked for less than a month, and there are currently no active cases in the country.